Job Opportunity: Fisheries and Aquaculture Assistant Extension Professor

Quick Summary

The Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) fisheries and aquaculture extension educator will be responsible for providing outreach and applied research on fisheries and aquaculture. Preferred candidates will have experience and knowledge in fisheries and aquaculture. This person will develop, deliver, and evaluate extension programming relevant to Sea Grant’s mission and strategic plan. The fisheries and aquaculture assistant extension professor will work closely with other Minnesota Sea Grant staff, U of M extension educators, and Sea Grant extension educators across the Great Lakes and nation who are involved in related issues. This person will also work with appropriate state, federal, and tribal agencies along with the recreational, charter, and commercial fishing and aquaculture industries. This position is supervised by MNSG's extension program leader.

Quick Links & Instructions

Applications must be submitted online. 

1. Go to UMN's Job Description and select the blue "Apply for Job" button at the top right of the webpage page. 
2. If that link does not work, go to: https://hr.umn.edu/jobs/Find-Job, select the category of applicant that you are (external, employee, student), and search for Job ID 361332
3. Complete the online application and attach all of the following:
   1. Cover letter
   2. Resume
   3. Contact information for three professional references

Quick reference 

• Who's hiring: University of Minnesota Sea Grant College Program (Minnesota Sea Grant)
• Job title: Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension Educator/Assistant Extension Professor
• Job code: 9623
• UMN Job ID: 61332
• Full/part-time: Full-time (40 hours per week)
• Compensation: $42,870 - $85,000 (dependent on qualifications)
• Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
• Application open date: May 15, 2024
• Application review date: May 31, 2024 (position will remain open until filled)

About the Position

This position is a permanent, 100% time, academic professional appointment with benefits, and is with the University of Minnesota Sea Grant College Program. Annual compensation for this position is dependent upon qualifications and is expected to range between $42,870 - $85,000. The successful candidate is expected to develop an externally funded program through grants that generates at least 25% of their annual salary within three years of joining the staff.

General Responsibilities

U of M Sea Grant Extension and Research duties (85%)

1. Conduct periodic needs assessments among community groups (researchers, managers, public, industry, etc.) to determine program priorities. Define clear and measurable goals and objectives to address these priorities that fit within Minnesota Sea Grant’s strategic plan. Evaluate, track, and report program measures and metrics. 
2. Develop and lead extension programs designed to deliver products and services that increase participant knowledge and understanding and advance participants’ access to and use of fisheries and aquaculture resources. Programs will address Lake Superior coastal communities, inland lake/stream communities, aquaculture producers, natural resource managers, lake associations, businesses, and individuals, and may include workshops, training, tools, and/or other appropriate educational products and services for relevant communities. 
3. Conduct formative (pre) and summative (post) evaluations of programs and use results to improve and revise program products, services, and activities and assess overall program outcomes.
4. Develop and maintain an extramurally funded research program in science or education related to fisheries and aquaculture that will fund 25% of salary within three years.
5. Coordinate, lead, and/or participate in statewide, Great Lakes, and national projects and programs, as appropriate and/or requested by U of M Sea Grant supervisor.
6. Participate in U of M Sea Grant extension program team initiatives as appropriate.
7. Collaborate with organizations such as the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Minnesota Aquaculture Association, Great Lakes Sea Grant Network (GLSGN), the Sea Grant Fisheries Extension Network (FEN), North Central Regional Aquaculture Center, and state, federal and tribal agencies to address important issues in fisheries and aquaculture in the Great Lakes region.

General administrative and scholarship duties (10%).

1. Share and/or present results of extension and research efforts at regional or national professional events and venues and through MSG communications channels including the media.
2. Complete other duties related to participating within the U of M Sea Grant organization, including but not limited to preparing reports and plans of work, writing and administering grants, serving on committees, etc.
3. Participate in professional development opportunities.
4. Travel overnight occasionally as required.

Core duties (5%)

1. Attend staff meetings and other required U of M Sea Grant meetings and events. 
2. Maintain shared, flex, and all office spaces in a professional manner, update computer security and virus protection software, and ensure computer files and records are backed-up on a timely basis.
3. Maintain a current calendar of events, travel, and program activity viewable to staff (e.g., U of M Google calendar).
4. Report activity on a regular basis using program forms, databases, or other formats as requested.
5. Help write, edit, design, review, and/or produce documents critical to U of M Sea Grant such as the strategic plan, the omnibus (budget) proposal, and the annual progress report.

Who We Are

Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG) is a systemwide program of the University of Minnesota and one of 34 federal-university Sea Grant partnerships across the country that bring applied water science to communities. MNSG’s extension educators, researchers and communicators work with community members, local decision-makers, policy leaders, and personnel from resource agencies, business and industry to protect, enhance and restore habitats, ecosystems and the services those ecosystems provide. We are what makes the University of Minnesota a Sea Grant institution.

Contact

Amy Schrank, Minnesota Sea Grant Extension Program Leader and Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension Educator, University of Minnesota.

Additional Information

Minnesota Sea Grant is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Sea Grant Program, which supports 34 similar programs in coastal states throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. It receives funding through the NOAA - Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the University of Minnesota. The program partners with local, regional and national organizations and is an integral member of the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network.